Operations.Patrolled west coast, 1942-1943, while training crews for other units. Began operations in the Pacific in Nov 1943. Attacked enemy installations on the Gilbert Islands in support of U.S. invasion; raided enemy airfields in the Marshalls to prevent Japanese airplanes launching against Tarawa. From Jan-Mar 1944, bombed installations in the Marshalls in preparation for their occupation. During Apr-Jul, raided airfields and navy facilities in the Truk Islands to keep them neutralized during the U.S. attack on the Marianas; also bombed Wake, Guam, and Saipan. From Aug 1944 until the U.S. took Iwo Jima in early 1945, the group attacked airfields and shipping in the Bonin and Volcano Islands and hit bypassed islands in the Carolines and Marianas until Mar 1945, when group returned to Hawaii for routine patrols and training until inactivated. Search, rescue, and recovery missions in area of Vandenberg AFB, CA, 1993-2007. Launched meteorological and surveillance satellites into polar earth orbit, 1990-. Launched first interceptor missile in Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) program, Sep 2006. Deployed airmen worldwide to meet national commitments, 2005-. Oversaw landing and recovery operations of the X-37 Orbital Test Vehicle, Dec 2010-.